Horoscopes

Virgo

23 Aug-22 Sep

It's started - your birthday month, that is, along with the countdown to the inconvenience of Mercury turning retrograde on 7 September. Virgos are usually described as humane and humble servants, but with Saturn dominant in your skies, mix in a touch of ruthlessness.

Libra

23 Sep-23 Oct

Here's a promising fortnight for hot news - for September birthdays in particular - but since Mercury's about to turn awkward, best respond to events before 7 September or wait until October. For those of you looking for a major change of lifestyle, this autumn is the time for it - but this isn't the week to force events or pick fights. Dreamily inconclusive.

Scorpio

24 Oct-21 Nov

Strategic alliances are the name of the professional game; be a team player, trade favours and stay open to left-field ideas - they may have more substance than first impressions suggest. For singletons, the workplace also holds promising romantic prospects this autumn. If you want to lead the pack (or grab a date), lunar power lends you a helpful edge on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sagittarius

22 Nov-21 Dec

Your capacity for going your own sweet way regardless of opinion (let alone advice!) may recently have been put to good use. As long as broken hearts or furniture weren't involved, fine. The month of Virgo, however, calls for well-tuned diplomacy at work. Up close, personal "relations" are set to move to a less confrontational level - hopefully to the bedroom.

Capricorn

22 Dec-19 Jan

The Sun in Virgo favours practical action - fetching and carrying to market, administration, the upkeep of property. You remain in a phase of accumulation, not dissipation, when you can play the system to your advantage. Born before Christmas? Not everything in love and war is fair. Be even-handed.

Aquarius

20 Jan-19 Feb

Exhale. You have made it through the eclipse season and face a less demanding star-scape. Midweek, proven partnerships blossom and war hatchets get buried. Work moves briskly onwards. What recent turbulence has hopefully shown you is that, for now at least, you're pretty much unsinkable.

Pisces

20 Feb-20 Mar

Despite lazy descriptions of Pisces as a sign too soppy to stand up for itself, you can tough it out when necessary. The physical vigour required to press your cause at work is one demand of Virgo's month, starting today. This being the sign of your alter ego, the more you borrow Virgo's qualities as organiser and errand runner, the better. Romance? Just do it.

Aries

21 Mar-19 Apr

The wisdom of your living arrangements is what's under review, whether it's the treasure that's your new home, or the need to renovate Ram Towers. Celestial action suggests a push-becomes-shove scenario: good for tough decisions, but not for losing your temper. Your social life is about to enjoy an Indian summer.

Taurus

20 Apr-20 May

The month of Virgo, a kindred earth sign, promises opportunities to meet, greet and impress, criss-crossing the fuzzy line between business and pleasure. Given that the mood is likely to be purposeful, grab your moments of frivolity as they arrive. The central point is to convince your profession that you're a player, and any heart throbs that you're in for the long haul.

Gemini

21 May-20 Jun

Once Mars moves on in midweek, you can drop your energy levels, or at least stop dashing around and concentrate on the fundamentals of home, family and paying your way. Distractions and company are available - business as usual, then - but the month of Virgo is focused on basics, along with your bright ideas, to which you should stick defiantly.

Cancer

21 Jun-22 Jul

The arrival of Mars, the warrior planet, is often the cue to take up arms, and over coming weeks you'll surely have opportunities to put a flea in a few ears. As spooky Pluto is in this week's mix, however, you are better off ducking a fight; allow secrets and plans to come into the open and unfold as they will. Plus ,with contracts, there's plenty of devil in the detail.

Leo

23 Jul-22 Aug

Another birthday gone, but the arrival of Venus in your skies on Wednesday augurs a pleasurable afterglow and the chance to throw a late birthday party. It's a period to consolidate gains, absorb enforced changes and do a spot of rebranding. Turbulence involving others can also be allowed to simmer down - at this point you're playing peacemaker.